Applications - Soundscape Ecology: Principles, Patterns, Methods and Applications - page 260

Chapter 10
Applications

10.1 Introduction

Today there is growing evidence that the human impact on landscapes is not only
restricted to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and chemical pollution but that a
subtle degradation of the sonic environment represents a new dramatic escalation of
human dominance of the Earth ecosystem.
The soundscape theory seems a very promising approach to a sustainable design
in urban and rural areas and a powerful pedagogic tool to be utilized by students of
design (e.g., Schafer 1994 , Fowler 2012 ).
Soundscape is defined as a semiotic dimension of sonic information when
perceived as noise can be considered not simply a negative character of a place
but also an important component of the living space. For instance, the soundscape
can greatly concur to create the sense of place, improving human well-being and
representing an important landmark.
Sonic intrusion can be observed not only in urban areas or in rural landscapes but
also in remote ranges and in shallow and deep seas.
Although other factors such as habitat isolation, habitat loss, land transforma-
tion, chemical pollution, hunting activity, food supply, and tourism safaris have a
great influence on animal communication, noise effects occupy a high rank.

10.2 Threats to Animal Communication

In the past bioacoustics research was primarily focused on the characteristics and
properties of acoustic signals, but recently this discipline has become more aware of
the importance of investigations on the effects of anthropogenic intrusion on the
sonic environment of animals. Laiolo ( 2010 ) has discussed in detail this aspect,
confirming an exponential growth of interest for researchers in animal communica-
tion in relationship to anthropogenic impact (Fig. 10.1 ).